Ladera Ranch Child Support Lawyer

Ladera Ranch Child Support Attorney

When you are experiencing a divorce with minor children involved, one of the various topics you and your spouse will need to discuss is that of child support. On the southern edge of Orange County, Ladera Ranch is an affluent area, with families residing near Founders Park or the Covenant Hills Citrus Grove. As parents, you want to ensure your child’s best interests and financial needs are protected and cared for, and a Ladera Ranch child support lawyer can help.

Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP: Protecting Your Interests as Well as Your Child’s

At Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, our child support attorneys have the experience necessary to seek a fair result out of both negotiations and in court trials. Named as one of the finest family law firms in Southern California, we are here to offer you the support and guidance necessary to ensure your child’s financial needs are met, even in the event of a divorce. With over 100 years of combined experience, we are here to protect your child and your interests as a parent.

Coverage of Child Support in Ladera Ranch

In Ladera Ranch, child support is a monthly sum paid by one parent — typically the one with lower amounts of custody time — to the other parent in order to help shoulder some of the burden and expenses of a child’s care.

In 2021, there were around 4.1 million parents receiving child support payments in the form of cash in the United States. Orange County, which sees around 33 people per day initiate divorce proceedings, also sees a high number of child support cases.

Because of the high prevalence of divorce and child support cases in Orange County, hiring a Ladera Ranch child support attorney is crucial. Child support payments can typically last until the child involved has either completed high school or has reached the age of majority. Children who suffer from special needs may require support for a longer period of time, and it will be up to the courts to make this determination.

Typically, child support in California works to cover the basic needs of the child, such as their food, shelter, and clothing. However, in certain cases, there are other expenses that can be involved. These might include medical costs, the education of the child, and expenses for extracurricular activities like sports, ballet, or other after-school opportunities.

Child support does not usually cover vacations, luxury items, or unnecessary services, and non-health-related medical expenses, such as in cases of cosmetic procedures.

There are certain add-on costs that may be requested in a child support case, depending on the factors involved and the needs of the specific child. Some of these costs may be mandatory, while others will be more up to the discretion of the parents. These add-on costs usually include:

• Cost of daycare while the custodial parent is at work or is seeking further education or job training
• Educational needs of the child, such as extra tutoring
• Any special healthcare needs, such as counseling

You, your co-parent, and the attorneys involved can reach an agreement on what the correct add-on costs for your family are and what will adequately address the needs of your children.

How Child Support Is Calculated

Calculating a reasonable amount of child support is not an easy task. There are several variables involved, which is why it is crucial to hire a child support lawyer who can help ensure all calculations are correct, all paperwork is provided, and that the support ruling in your case is fair for all parties and suits the best interests of your children. When determining the amount of child support to award, a judge will look at all your streams of income, including:

• Wages
• Investments
• Benefits from the state or federal government
• Any other income

The parent responsible for paying support may be able to subtract certain financial obligations from this sum, as well, including their taxes, costs of raising other children, and health insurance premiums.

When an Orange County judge makes a determination regarding child support, he or she will take into consideration the following factors:

• The number of minor children shared between the parents
• The income and earning capacity of the individual parents
• The amount of time each parent shares with their children
• The amount of support, if any, being paid by the higher-earning spouse
• Any child support payments being received by either parent from a previous relationship
• The tax filing status of each parent
• The age of the involved children

Consequences of Not Paying Ordered Child Support

According to a study put out by the US Census Bureau, around 30% of parents who are owed child support get nothing. When child support payments are late or continue to go unpaid, the custodial parent who is supposed to be receiving these payments can take legal action with the help of an attorney. This may lead to a court hearing where a judge will decide what action to take. If the parent still refuses to pay, they can face several different penalties, including:

• Jail time
• Fines
• Community service
• Wage garnishment, where the employer takes out support owed from a paycheck
• Liens on property
• Garnishment of both state and federal government benefits

If you need help getting the support that you are owed, or you believe that the support you are required to pay is unfair, the team at Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, is here for you.

Hire a Child Support Lawyer Today by Contacting Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP

Divorce is difficult, no matter what the circumstances are. However, when your case also involves the interests of minor children, it is easy for emotions and tensions to run high. If you need a lawyer for a child support case in Ladera Ranch, turn to the team at Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP. We know that your children are your main focal point and that their health and safety are important to you. Contact our offices today to learn how we can help and to hire a child support lawyer.

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